- Tim Miller is challenging incumbent David Martindale in County Board District L.

Clay and Boynton were no-shows.

The candidates agreed that the biggest issues facing Stephenson County are an upcoming vote on a one percentage point increase in the sales tax to benefit all public school districts in the county and government involvement in local business.

"All the issues are somewhat connected," said Jogerst.

The sales tax increase to benefit schools will hit the low-income residents the hardest, he said.

"We need to lower the tax rate - which doesn't sound right to some people - but it will actually get the economy moving more and get some of this debt paid down."

The focus of the board needs to shift back to existing businesses rather than new ones. Businesses that have been in the area for a long time already have patrons, and they are instrumental in growing jobs and stimulating the economy, said Jogerst.

The financial situation is a concern, said Wire. He believes the county needs to be more cautious with spending.

DeMeester hopes to be re-elected and work to shrink government involvement in businesses.

Miller believes that the county needs to work hard to prevent adding any additional debt and build a more favorable business environment.

However, Martindale believes that the biggest issues have fallen on the procedures the existing county board uses.

"How you pay off the debt, and how you get to the correct solution of paying off the debt, is symptomatic of the poor procedures that the county board has," said Martindale.